Lipid peroxidation depends on the clock 3111T/C gene polymorphism in menopausal women with Insomnia

ABSTRACT

A comparative analysis of lipid peroxidation processes and antioxidant defense system in Caucasian menopausal women with/without insomnia depending on the genotype of Clock 3111T/C gene polymorphism was performed. Two hundred and fourteen Caucasian menopausal women divided into control (without insomnia) and main group (with insomnia) were examined. Lipid peroxidation (conjugated dienes, thiobarbituric acid reactants) and antioxidant defense system parameters (?-tocopherol, retinol, reduced and oxidized glutathione, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase) were determined by spectrofluorophotometer and immunoenzymometric methods. Patients with insomnia carriers of the TT-genotype had a significantly higher thiobarbituric acid reactants level and glutathione peroxidase activity as compared to group with insomnia carriers of the minor 3111C-allele (p < .05). A comparative analysis of the parameters in the women of the main and control groups showed higher conjugated dienes, thiobarbituric acid reactants levels and lower retinol, reduced glutathione levels, glutathione reductase activity in women with insomnia carriers of the TT-genotype (p < .05). The carriers of the minor allele with insomnia had a higher conjugated dienes levels and lower glutathione peroxidase activity as compared to control (p < .05). Thus, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system parameters in Caucasian menopausal women with insomnia depend on the Clock 3111T/C gene polymorphism.     

Diversity of the major capsid genes (g23) of T4-like bacteriophages in the eutrophic Lake Kotokel in East Siberia, Russia

Numerous studies revealed high diversity of T4-like bacteriophages in various environments, but so far, little is known about T4-like virus diversity in freshwater bodies, particularly in eutrophic lakes. The present study was aimed at elucidating molecular diversity of T4-like bacteriophages in eutrophic Lake Kotokel located near Lake Baikal by partial sequencing of the major capsid genes (g23) of T4-like bacteriophages. The majority of g23 fragments from Lake Kotokel were most similar to those from freshwater lakes and paddy fields. Despite the proximity and direct water connection between Lake Kotokel and Lake Baikal, g23 sequence assemblages from two lakes were different. UniFrac analysis showed that uncultured T4-like viruses from Lake Kotokel tended to cluster with those from the distant lake of the same trophic status. This fact suggested that the trophic conditions affected the formation of viral populations, particularly of T4-like viruses, in freshwater environments.     

Regeneration processes of a boreal forest in Kamchatka with special reference to the contribution of sprouting to population maintenance

We studied regeneration patterns of three tree species Picea ajanensis, Betula platyphylla and Populus tremula from 1998 to 2000 in the Central Depression of the Kamchatka Peninsula. We paid special attention to the contribution of sprouting to their regeneration. P. ajanensis was the only species that regenerated by seedling. In a 40 × 40 m study plot, the density of P. ajanensis saplings < 2.0 cm in diameter at basal area (DBH) was 1132, and this was the highest among the three species studied. The number of saplings 2 cm in DBH declined sharply with size class. The spatial distribution of P. ajanensis saplings (< 2 cm in DBH) showed a significant positive correlation with that of adult trees and a negative correlation with that of gaps. These trends were not changed after re-measurement in 2000, although nearly half of the juveniles had died or been injured during the two years. These results suggest that small Picea saplings prefer habitats under the canopy of adult trees rather than in gaps for establishment. Most small individuals of B. platyphylla were produced from sprouts. The number of saplings in the smallest size class (< 2 cm in DBH) was much less than that of P. ajanensis, although the number of larger individuals did not decrease remarkably. The spatial distribution of B. platyphylla saplings showed a positive correlation with that of adult trunks and a negative correlation with that of canopy trees of P. ajanensis. These results suggest an effective contribution of sprouts to the regeneration of B. platyphylla. P. tremula was the only species that could invade big gaps and produce many root suckers efficiently. There were 181 suckers of P. tremula in the smallest size class (< 2 cm in DBH) in the study plot, although the number of saplings 2 cm in DBH declined abruptly. The spatial distribution of saplings of this species showed a slight positive correlation with that of gaps, and negative correlation with that of adult trees of B. platyphylla, P. ajanensis, and P. tremula. The root suckering strategy of P. tremula might be adaptive under severe conditions in high-latitude regions. Our data suggest, however, that it does not necessarily contribute to regeneration in mature forests. The three component species in this forest did not seem to utilize canopy gaps for regeneration; we suggest that gap dynamics do not work in this forest. The sparse canopy, which is a typical character of forests in high-latitude regions, might be a consequence of high mortalities of seedlings and root suckers inside gaps.     

Kinetid structure in Choanocytes of Sponges (Heteroscleromorpha): Toward the ancestral Kinetid of Demospongiae

Every large clade of Eukarya has its own pattern of kinetid (flagellar apparatus) structure, which is stable and specific within the group, thereby being a good phylogenetic marker. The kinetid structure of sponge choanocytes might be a candidate for such marker for the phylogeny of Porifera. Kinetids of two heteroscleromorphs, Halichondria sp. (Suberitida) and Crellomima imparidens (Poecilosclerida), have been investigated here for the first time, and a reconstruction of the kinetid for each species is provided. The kinetids of both species comprise a flagellar kinetosome with a nuclear fibrillar root, a basal foot and satellite producing microtubules; a centriole is absent. Good resolution images reveal a new thin structure, the axial granule, in the flagellar transition zone which might be present in other sponges. The comparison of kinetids in investigated sponges revealed three types of kinetid in Demospongiae, and their distribution in the taxon has been shown on a molecular phylogenetic tree. Kinetid characters of the common ancestor of Demospongiae are discussed. J. Morphol. 277:925–934, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Crystal Structure of the Protealysin Precursor: INSIGHTS INTO PROPEPTIDE FUNCTION*

Protealysin (PLN) belongs to the M4 family of peptidases that are commonly known as thermolysin-like proteases (TLPs). All TLPs are synthesized as precursors containing N-terminal propeptides. According to the primary structure of the N-terminal propeptides, the family is divided into two distinct groups. Representatives of the first group including thermolysin and all TLPs with known three-dimensional structures have long prosequences (∼200 amino acids). Enzymes of the second group, whose prototype is protealysin, have short (∼50 amino acids) propeptides. Here, we present the 1.8 Å crystal structure of PLN precursor (proPLN), which is the first three-dimensional structure of a TLP precursor. Whereas the structure of the catalytic domain of proPLN is similar overall to previously reported structures of mature TLPs, it has specific features, including the absence of calcium-binding sites, and different structures of the N-terminal region and substrate-binding site. PLN propeptide forms a separate domain in the precursor and likely acts as an inhibitor that blocks the substrate-binding site and fixes the “open” conformation of the active site, which is unfavorable for catalysis. Furthermore the conserved PPL motif identified in our previous studies directly interacts with the S′ subsites of the active center being a critical element of the propeptide-catalytic domain interface. Comparison of the primary structures of TLPs with short propeptides suggests that the specific features revealed in the proPLN crystal structure are typical for all protealysin-like enzymes. Thus, such proteins can be considered as a separate subfamily of TLPs.     

Quantitative trait loci affecting phenotypic plasticity and the allometric relationship of ovariole number and thorax length in Drosophila melanogaster

Environmental factors during juvenile growth such as temperature and nutrition have major effects on adult morphology and life-history traits. In Drosophila melanogaster, ovary size, measured as ovariole number, and body size, measured as thorax length, are developmentally plastic traits with respect to larval nutrition. Herein we investigated the genetic basis for plasticity of ovariole number and body size, as well the genetic basis for their allometric relationship using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a natural population in Winters, California. We reared 196 RILs in four yeast concentrations and measured ovariole number and body size. The genetic correlation between ovariole number and thorax length was positive, but the strength of this correlation decreased with increasing yeast concentration. Genetic variation and genotype-by-environment (G x E) interactions were observed for both traits. We identified quantitative trait loci (QTL), epistatic, QTL-by-environment, and epistatic-by-environment interactions for both traits and their scaling relationships. The results are discussed in the context of multivariate trait evolution.     

Optimization of Dielectric-Coated Silver Nanoparticle Films for Plasmonic-Enhanced Light Trapping in Thin Film Silicon Solar Cells

Surface plasmonic-enhanced light trapping from metal nanoparticles is a promising way of increasing the light absorption in the active silicon layer and, therefore, the photocurrent of the silicon solar cells. In this paper, we applied silver nanoparticles on the rear side of polycrystalline silicon thin film solar cell and systematically studied the dielectric environment effect on the absorption and short-circuit current density (Jsc) of the device. Three different dielectric layers, magnesium fluoride (MgF₂, n?=?1.4), tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅, n?=?2.2), and titanium dioxide (TiO₂, n?=?2.6), were investigated. Experimentally, we found that higher refractive index dielectric coatings results in a redshift of the main plasmonic extinction peak and higher modes were excited within the spectral region that is of interest in our thin film solar cell application. The optical characterization shows that nanoparticles coated with highest refractive index dielectric TiO₂ provides highest absorption enhancement 75.6 %; however, from the external quantum efficiency characterization, highest short-circuit current density Jsc enhancement of 45.8 % was achieved by coating the nanoparticles with lower refractive index MgF₂. We also further optimize the thickness of MgF₂ and a final 50.2 % Jsc enhancement was achieved with a 210-nm MgF₂ coating and a back reflector.     

Highest Efficiency Plasmonic Polycrystalline Silicon Thin-Film Solar Cells by Optimization of Plasmonic Nanoparticle Fabrication

Excitation of surface plasmons in metallic nanoparticles is a promising method for increasing the light absorption in solar cells and hence the cell photocurrent. Comprehensive optimization of a nanoparticle fabrication process for enhanced performance of polycrystalline silicon thin-film solar cells is presented. Three factors were studied: the Ag precursor film thickness, annealing temperature and time. The thickness of the precursor film was 10, 14 and 20 nm; annealing temperature was 190, 200, 230 and 260 °C; and annealing time was varied between 20 and 95 min. Performance enhancement due to light-scattering by nanoparticles was calculated by comparing absorption, short-circuit current density and energy conversion efficiency in solar cells with and without nanoparticles formed under different process conditions. Nanoparticles formed from 14-nm-thick Ag precursor film annealed at 230 °C for 53 min result in the highest absorption enhancement in the 700–1,100 nm wavelength range, in the highest enhancement of total short-circuit current density. The highest photocurrent enhancement was 33.5 %, which was achieved by the cell with the highest absorption enhancement in the 700–1,100 nm range. The plasmonic cell efficiency of 5.32 % was achieved without a back reflector and 5.95 % with the back reflector; which is the highest reported efficiency for plasmonic thin-film solar cells.